Queens, NY — Golden Punjab Indian Restaurant, located at 130-02 101 Avenue in South Richmond Hill, received a score of 39 during a March 31, 2026 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection, placing it in Grade C territory. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 2, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation under Code 06C, which addresses the protection of food, supplies, and equipment from potential contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, and service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers and were not being dispensed directly by staff. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code standards, condiments accessible to customers must be individually portioned or served in a manner that prevents cross-contamination from reusable containers or customer handling.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under Code 10F, which covers non-food contact surfaces and equipment. The violation noted that such surfaces were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or arranged to allow adequate cleaning access on all sides, above, and beneath the units. While non-critical violations do not carry the same immediate food safety risk as critical ones, they contribute to an establishment's overall score and can create conditions that facilitate future contamination if left unaddressed.

The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection. Violations were cited, and the establishment received a Grade C pending any appeal or re-inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs. Critical violations under this code — such as Code 06C — are defined as conditions that present a direct risk of foodborne illness if not corrected. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's regulations align with, similarly identifies inadequate protection of ready-to-eat food and condiments as a significant vector for contamination, particularly from external sources including customer contact.

Condiment handling is a frequently cited area in restaurant inspections citywide. Shared condiment containers — such as reusable bottles, open bowls, or communal dispensers — can transfer pathogens between customers if not properly managed. DOHMH guidance requires that condiments either be pre-portioned in single-use packets, dispensed by food service workers, or served in a manner that eliminates direct customer contact with shared supplies.

Inspection History

Golden Punjab Indian Restaurant had maintained a consistent Grade A record across its three most recent prior inspections before this cycle:

  • October 16, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • May 5, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • April 11, 2022: Score 5 (Grade A)

The restaurant's previous scores reflect a strong compliance history. The jump from a 12-point score in October 2024 to a 39-point score in March 2026 represents a notable change, though it is not uncommon for establishments to fluctuate between inspection cycles as staffing, procedures, and equipment conditions change over time. Restaurants that receive a Grade C or score above 28 points are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity, after which the resulting grade is posted publicly.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

A lower numerical score reflects better compliance. Grade A establishments are required to display their grade card in a window visible from the street. Restaurants that score in the B or C range may request a re-inspection before their grade is finalized and posted.

Inspection records for all New York City food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, cuisine type, or inspection date to review full violation histories and current grades.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Golden Punjab Indian Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.